Celebrate International Podcast Day with the ultimate CFANS playlist

Happy International Podcast Day! Whether you are commuting to campus, taking a break in the lab, or out in the field, audio stories are a powerful way to stay curious and connected.

From deep dives into human nutrition and plant breeding to ancient fish and avian mysteries, experts across the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) are frequently featured on top podcasts around the globe.

To celebrate, we’ve put together a "CFANS Playlist" showcasing some of the fantastic episodes featuring our faculty. Queue up these audio recommendations to fuel your mind!

Talking nutrition 

Dr. Joanne Slavin, professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, is a go-to authority on how dietary choices impact human health. She’s been making the podcast rounds to discuss food trends and share science-backed insights:

• Soundbytes Podcast | Ultraprocessed Foods and Health Outcomes: Dr. Slavin sits down with host Melissa Joy Dobbins, RDN, to break down ultraprocessed foods and their real-world health implications. 
• Omnivore Podcast (IFT) | Episode 53: A Food Scientist Processes Nova and UPFs: In this Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) episode, Dr. Slavin explores NOVA classification, red-hot food dye substitutes, and what’s next for America’s Dietary Guidelines.
• Weight Loss and... | The Truth About Fiber and Feeling Full: Co-hosts Dr. Jim Hill and Dr. Holly Wyatt talk with Dr. Slavin about how dietary fiber plays a powerful role in weight management and metabolic health.
• The Nourished Child | Dietary Fiber for Children: In conversation with Jill Castle, RD, MS, Dr. Slavin discusses meeting the unique nutritional and dietary fiber needs of growing kids.
• BBC: The Food Chain | How to eat more fiber and why you should: Ruth Alexander talks with Dr. Slavin about fibermaxxing and how much fiber we really need.
• Optimal Protein Podcast | Protein Science with Vanessa Spina: Dr. Slavin joins host Vanessa Spina for a deep dive into how different nutrients influence satiety, the role of food structure and processing, and how to think about protein, fiber, and carbohydrates in a practical, real-world way.
• Rooted and Restless | Fiber, Protein & GLP-1s: What the Science Says: Host Marianne Smith Edge and Dr. Slavin explore why most Americans aren't getting enough fiber, how protein needs vary throughout life, and what is real food.

Talking plant breeding 

Did you know CFANS has its very own podcast host? Dr. Rex Bernardo, professor and Endowed Chair in Corn Breeding and Genetics, hosts Plant Breeding Matters, where you'll learn something new about plant breeding, or gain a better appreciation and understanding of something you might already know. The first episode just dropped on September 19. 
 

Avian insights

On Okay, But ... Birds, ornithologist and associate professor Dr. Sushma Reddy took listeners inside museum specimen collections to explain what preserved bird drawers teach us about biodiversity, evolution, and environmental change. Learn how birds collected 150 years ago are answering questions their collectors never imagined, from air pollution to insect decline.
 

Wildlife and conservation 

On the The Meateater Podcast, aquatic ecologist and gar researcher (aka The Gar Guy) Dr. Solomon David joined Steven Rinella to talk about "The Mysteries of Gar Fish." They dive into the biology, ecological importance, and conservation of these misunderstood ancient fishes.